Question 20

1. Is all mankind in a state of sin? Yes.

   “For both Jews and Gentiles are all under sin” Romans 3:9

2. Were they brought into this state by the fall? Yes.

   “In whom all have sinned” Romans 5:12

3. Hath sin corrupted the whole man? Yes.

   “The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint” Isaiah 1:5

4. Doth an inclination to sin appear very early? Yes.

   “The wicked are estranged from the womb, they go astray as soon as they are born” Psalm 58:3

5. And doth it continue even after grace is implanted? Yes.

   “For if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves” 1 John 1:8

1. Is mankind in a state of misery? Yes.

   “Woe unto us that we have sinned” Lamentations 5:6

2. Is the whole creation the worse for sin? Yes.

   “The creature is now made subject to vanity” Romans 8:20

3. But do sinners above all others feel the sad effects of it? Yes.

   “Evil pursueth sinners” Proverbs 13:21

4. Is it great misery that is consequent upon the fall? Yes.

   “The misery of man is great upon him” Ecclesiastes 8:6

5. Is it intolerable? Yes.

   “My punishment is greater than I can bear” Genesis 4:3

6. And is it abiding? Yes.

   “The wrath of God abideth on him” John 3:36

1. Are all men sensible of this? No.

   “For they say they shall have peace, though they walk in the imagination of their heart” Deuteronomy 29:19

2. But should they be sensible of it? Yes.

   “Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces” Psalm 50:22

3. And shall they be sensible of it? Yes.

   “They shall see and be ashamed” Isaiah 26:11

4. And are the saints sensible of it? Yes.

   “O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death” Romans 7:24

Benjamin Beddome (1717–1795), pastor at Bourton-on-the-Water. Verses from the King James Version.